Forests or Mountains 1st week of May?

[futurafree]

Before driving home after some Utah desert trips, I'd like to cool off with some forests and/or mountains with running streams and not too much snow (or at least no ice axe stuff). Maybe 4-5 nights in some foothills where much of the snow has melted and temps aren't below 20 every night?
I'll be driving back to TX from Vegas, so it could be anywhere from the southeast Sierras to southern Colorado, including all of AZ and NM. I'd appreciate any suggestions except the Gila, which I already visit twice a year so I'm looking for somewhere new. I prefer actual designated Wilderness Areas, but anywhere with some solitude is good. Thanks!

 

[Wanderlust073]

Can’t speak for the rest but the mountains are still getting snow here in CO. Not the best time of year to pitch a tent unless you’re specifically looking to winter camp/ski/etc.

 

[wick e. pedia]

Before driving home after some Utah desert trips, I'd like to cool off with some forests and/or mountains with running streams and not too much snow (or at least no ice axe stuff). Maybe 4-5 nights in some foothills where much of the snow has melted and temps aren't below 20 every night?
I'll be driving back to TX from Vegas, so it could be anywhere from the southeast Sierras to southern Colorado, including all of AZ and NM. I'd appreciate any suggestions except the Gila, which I already visit twice a year so I'm looking for somewhere new. I prefer actual designated Wilderness Areas, but anywhere with some solitude is good. Thanks!

I've posted it in other threads, but I always lean on the National Weather and Climate Center's interactive snowpack maps for these kinds of scenarios. When you've got the flexibility, it may have the specific detail you need to pick between spots.

Though I'll admit that looking at this map you're probably not going to find many areas that aren't snowy, as each zone on your route is well above median right now. You might get lucky at the lower elevations along the Arkansas River headwaters if you head that far north into Colorado, but even then it would be hit or miss below ~9,000 feet.

 

[Bob]

Come up to yellowstone...all the low/mid country is hikeable

 

[canadug]

Sierra Range is still fully covered in snow and will be for quite a few more weeks.

 

[futurafree]

Thanks, everyone! Looks like I might end up with another desert trip or back in the Gila for the umpteenth time. There are worse fates.
I also like this current snow cover map, though I should eventually pay for Caltopo because I think you get up to date satellite imagery:

Current Snow Depth

www.fs.usda.gov

 

[Bob]

Thanks, everyone! Looks like I might end up with another desert trip or back in the Gila for the umpteenth time. There are worse fates.
I also like this current snow cover map, though I should eventually pay for Caltopo because I think you get up to date satellite imagery:

Current Snow Depth

www.fs.usda.gov

Not real accurate... snow in Yellowstone is about 6000 ft or so